The environment, atmosphere and structures of the small mining town of Selebi-Phikwe in Botswana are harshly reminiscent of colonial times. Such a scenario is hardly unique to Selebi-Phikwe but instead is a common characteristic of mining towns in Africa. In particular, the physical planning reflects an era’s ethos which determined the rural and urban planning as per race and class status. Obviously, the less prominent classes in the system were designated less favourable areas – the criteria being influenced by (inter alia) factors such as altitude and wind direction. Unfortunately, the situation is still prevailing, as in the case of Selebi-Phikwe. The health and environmental impacts resulting from the copper-nickel mining activities disproportionately affect the Selebi- Phikwe community. In particular, the smog that is produced during smelter operations at the copper-nickel mine depends on unpredictable meteorological conditions such as wind direction for its destination. And these ostensibly harmless emissions of sulphur dioxide are an undeniable source of air pollution. The detrimental and deleterious effects on the community’s health and environment confront even the least sensitive of tourists and investors to this area.
